Above illustration,
"Tillandsia stricta,"
by Margaret Mee,
© Smithsonian Institution,
used with permission.
Florida has 16 species of native bromeliads, many of which are restricted to the southern portion of the state. The state is at risk of losing some of its most unique plants forever, as an invasive, exotic pest weevil (Metamasius callizona) is destroying populations of 5 of these native bromeliad species at an alarming rate. Six additional species of rarer bromeliads are also vulnerable.
The weevil entered Florida in a shipment of bromeliads from Mexico, and by the time it was discovered in a nursery in 1989, it had become established in Broward County. It is now found in 16 counties in south Florida and is fast approaching the state's most rare, endangered bromeliad populations in the Everglades area.
The Mexican bromeliad weevil kills the plants through the tunneling action of its immature stage (larvae), which may eat out the entire base, causing the plant to fall from the tree that supports it. The weevil prefers large, mature plants, and the death of many of the breeding individuals quickly wipes out entire populations. Two species of once-abundant bromeliads (Tillandsia utriculata and Tillandsia fasciculata) have been placed on the state's list of endangered plant species as a direct result of destruction from the weevil.
The Save Florida's Native Bromeliads project is an attempt by the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies, the University of Florida, and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (Division of Plant Industry) to manage the weevil and conserve the bromeliad species at risk before the weevil is able to completely destroy them. The project's goals include both the immediate reduction in the damage being done by the weevil and the long-term protection of Florida's native bromeliad populations.
- Management of weevil populations through classical biological control:
The candidate biological control agent is a specialist parasitic fly from Honduras that attacks the immature stage of the weevil while in its tunnel. The fly will be maintained in a quarantine facility until non-target tests are completed to ensure that it will only affect the pest weevil.
- Collection of seeds of bromeliad species at risk:
Seeds from bromeliad species threatened by the weevil have been collected from parks and other natural areas throughout south Florida. They have been germinated by volunteer nursery growers, and the resulting plants will eventually be reintroduced to their respective places of collection once weevil populations are managed.
- Educational outreach:
The ultimate success of the project requires greater public understanding of the problem and support for its solution. We will be providing educational materials to Florida Parks Service personnel and members of the state's 12 bromeliad societies for their use in educational programs and will offer additional resources for teachers and the public to further the appreciation of these endangered plants.
Bromeliads play crucial roles in the environment, contribute to the natural beauty that visitors seek in parks, and offer unique educational opportunities. Time is running out for Florida's native bromeliads. Please consider adding your support to the Save Florida's Native Bromeliads project.